Extra Curricular Music

Extra Curricular Music plays a huge part in the school with mass participation most clearly seen in the choirs where both girls and boys make a regular commitment to an ensemble. The range of activities available is enhanced by the specialist talents of the Instrumental Teachers and enables them to become more integrated in the running of the department.

Success in National Competitions and local Festivals promotes and gives a sense of identity to those students who perform in the relevant ensembles. The fact that every activity is open to every student means that motivation and commitment is high.

There are now several established extra curricular ensembles that remain strong year after year. Some extra curricular ensembles fluctuate according to personnel and need, but the stated agreement is that all students of single line instruments should have ensembles which they can join in. For guitarists and pianists it is harder to make the same pledge but the department tries to address their needs where possible.

Middle School Choir – Rehearses for half an hour per week with Anna Broad and perform in the Christmas Concert, Watford Music Festival, Summer Concert as well as an annual Tour to Paris. Average size – 50 students Jazz Choir – Rehearses 35 mins per week with Nell Buckingham and performs in the Christmas Concert, Jazz Concert, Watford Music Festival, Music for Youth Competition and sometimes goes on Tour internationally. Average size – 50 students
Chamber Choir – Rehearses for 35 minutes a week with Anna Broad. This is the only auditioned ensemble at King Alfred School. They perform all Classical Repertoire and learn the art of sight singing from a score. They perform in the Watford Music Festival, Carol Singing, Christmas Concert and Summer Concert. Average Numbers – 20 students
Middle School Vocal Group – rehearses for 30 minutes a week with Anna Broad. This is a select group of singers who are challenged by singing with music and more advanced harmony singing. They perform in the Watford Music Festival, Christmas Concert and Summer Concert.
Flute Groups – There are two flute groups whose personnel change each term run by Hannah Lang. They rehearse for 30 mins each week and perform in the Christmas and Summer Concerts as well as Hannah’s Flute Concerts.
Orchestra – rehearse for half an hour a week with Anna Broad and Richard Wade and they perform in the Christmas and Summer Concerts. This has taken a large amount of effort and commitment to sustain, but now is an established group with sustained numbers of students performing.
Jazzworks – is the school Big Band playing swing Jazz and other associated musical styles. This is a catch all band for Middle and Upper School wind and brass players but also has an extensive rhythm section. They rehearse for half an hour a week with Bruno Heinen and perform in the Christmas and Summer Concerts.
Senior Quartet – is a Flute Quartet at the moment to cater for the high grade Classical Musicians. It rehearses for half an hour a week with Anna Broad and performs in the Summer and Christmas Concerts. It also enters the Music for Youth Competition.
Junior Quartet - is a String Quartet run by Richard Wade and rehearses for half an hour a week. It prepares the up and coming string players for the rigours of playing in the Senior Quartet. They perform in the Christmas and Summer Concerts.
Classical Quintet – This is a quintet made up to specifically cater for students who were not performing in one of the established Quartets. It is run by Richard Wade, rehearses for half an hour a week and performs in the Christmas and Summer Concerts.
Jazz Quintet – This sextet caters for Jazz Instrumentalists and a rhythm section made up of Senior Students. It rehearses for half an hour each week and performs in the Christmas and Summer Concerts. It is run by Bruno Heinen.
Soul Quartet – This quartet was set up to cater for students who were keen and able to perform in a smaller group and develop improvisation and ensemble skills. It rehearses for half an hour a week and performs in the Christmas and Summer Concerts. It is run by Michael Winawer.
Senior Jazz Trio – This group was set up due to the school having three hugely gifted students who needed the opportunity to be stretched and have their musicianship developed by a specialist in the Jazz style. They rehearse for 45 minutes a week with Bruno Heinen and perform in the Christmas and Summer Concerts as well as this year entering for the Music for Youth Competition.

You can listen to a selection of music from some of the extra curricular groups below.